Man who destroyed dozens of graves at Sydney cemetery could serve sentence in the community

A 21-year-old man who broke into a Sydney cemetery in 2015 and destroyed dozens of graves could serve his prison sentence in the community under strict supervision.

Nassem Raad was with a friend when he desecrated 68 grave sites at the Rookwood cemetery, mainly from the Greek and Ukranian sections - among them babies.

The damage ranged from destroying and pushing over headstones to smashing candle boxes.

Despite being found guilty, Raad has continued to deny any involvement and told 9NEWS outside court: "I didn't do anything".

The damage bill was $50,250 - money the prosecution had wanted Raad to be forced to repay.

"He's a tree lopper," Raad's lawyer Garry Gillett argued.

"I don't know how he's ever going to pay that. He'll be paying it off for the next 20 years."

Magistrate Eve Wynhausen told the court Raad had "expressed no remorse, in fact his position is he denies causing any of the damage."

"It would seem to me Raad showed a complete lack of respect and disregard for the deceased as well as their families and loved ones," Ms Wynhausen said.

The magistrate said the offence reached the threshold for a term of imprisonment and ordered an intensive corrections order assessment be carried out to determine whether Raad can serve his prison term under strict supervision in the community.

The matter will return to court for sentencing on July 19.